Sign



C. W. SNHTH June 15 1926.

SIC'N Filed August 20 I A ggFl-Lelung.

Patented .lune l5, 1225i.

CHARLES W. SMITH, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

sten.

Application filed August 20, 1923.

My invention relates to displaying devices, and more especially to devices of this character adapted to be illuminated by day light or by artificial light, for day and night display.

The object of invention is to provide for maximum efiiciency of illumination by A artificial light by advantageous disposition of the display surfaces of the sign relatively to the lighting means, as well vas to provide a' compact and simple construction of the sign, economical to manufacture and having a pleasing appearance beth in 4daylight and when artificially illuminated, with a minimum of detail so that the attention is not diverted from the matter displayed on the sign. Other objects will appear in the course of the ensuing description. I attain these objects by the device illustrated, 'for'eXample, in the accompanying drawing, in whichl y'Figure 1 is a front elevation of a double faced sign embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-section on the 'plane of the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 isa vertical cross-section on the plane of the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a modified sign' embodying my invention.

In the example of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the sign is of rectangular general formation. It comprises the outer frame-like structure or .member 1, preferably made of sheet metal in hollow triangular cross-section with an outer shell 2 forming the top, bottom and opposite upright ends of the structure; which shell 2 has the flanges 3 turned up along its opposite longitudinal edges. The other two sides 4 and 5 of the triangular Vcross-section of the upper part of this frame memberl have their upper edges 6 iianged over the ianges 3, and'meetto form the edge of the aperture 7 of the frame, where the side 4 has the flangeB turned up under the edge of the other side 5. Likewise, the lower part of therfraine is made up of the sides 4 and 5 with their lower edges 6 turned up under the lower flanges 3 of the shell 2 and their upper edges meeting with the'flange 5 0' 8 of the side 4v turned down over the edge of the side 5', forming the lower edge of the aperture 7 andthe upright parts are made eachof sides 4' and 5 with outer edges j turned over the lateral nanges S ef the' lll 2 and ine Y rin Serial No. 658,358.

the lateral edges of the aperture 7, with the edge 8 of the side 4 turned around the edge of the other member 5. rhe ends of these sides 4 and 5, 4 and 5, and 4 and 5 are beveled to fit closely together, and the joints between these ends are suitably secured, as by soldering, preferably with the meeting ends lapping, although in the drawing, for simplicity of illustration, these joints 9 are shown merely by single lines. Also an important detail is that the sides 4, 5, 4, 5, 4 and 5 are concave on their outer or display surfaces. This affords a better distribution of light across the entire width of each side.

Riveted to the outer sides of the shell 2, at opposite ends of the upper part of the member 1 are hooks l() extending above the top of the member 1 to hook over a suitable support, as the rod 11 which may be fixed to the building or other object upon which the sign is displayed. Any other desirable method of supporting the member 1 may be substituted.

Near the respective corners of the aperture 7 the hooks 12 are secured to the sides ofthe member 1 across their joints 9, by conical sheet metal bases 18 soldered to the Shanks of the respective hooks and to the' sides of the member; all of these hooks being directed upward.

The casing 14 is an elongated bozclike structure of sheet metal, not as high as the aperture 7 of the member 1, and mounted transversely along this aperture with about equal spaces 15 and 15 above and below within the aperture. casing 14 are tapered and are recessed to straddle the upright edges of the aperture where the upright Vsides 4 and 5 are joinedby the flange 8; these ends 16 being soldered to these sides 4 and 5; At the left end, however, the sides 4" and 5 are spread apart about midway of their height, interrupting their seam and cutting through the flanged part 8, to form aA cylindrical entrance 17 in which is fitted an insulating bushing 18. In'horiaontal alinement with this bushing, the outer shell 2 has an opening with a bushing 19; and the cable 2O leads in through the alined bushings 18 and 19, into the interior of the casing 14. The two opposite'-` upright sides of the casrlhe ends 16 of this ing 14 have apertures suitably distributed, l

y a suitable manner, as

ing 14. f

The translucent members 25 extend bcfore the aperture 7 at the opposite sides oi the sign; each, as here shown, vbeing made up of a glass lplate 26, which it 'Will beunderstood maybe an opal glass, or other translucent glass; or any suitable other translucent material may be substituted, or combinations oi them with transparentbodies. This plate 26 has a trame 27 entirely around it, preferably ot Wood, although a metal frame may be used; the plate 26 and its frame 27 being rectangular, otabout the some proportions as the aperture 7 ot the member 1. Near the resixiective corners or the trame 27, eyes 28 are screwed or otherl.'vise suitably secured thereto; each eye as shown being made of a flat strip oi metal with members at right angles to each other; the longer member being secured to the frame 2T and the shorter member having an .opening by ivhich the eye is constituted.

These eyes 28 are located on Jthe trame so that each eye can slip of the upturned hooks 12l oi the member 1, whereby the member 25 is detaehably hung on the member 1; the hooks 12 proiecting `far enough'for the inner ur'taces out the members 25 to clear the outer ends 'of the lamps 22 at the respectivefsides ot the sign.

In the modiiication ot Fig.` 4 the member 1 is oL circular shape, with the outer shell 2a and the sides 4a and 5a joining it by suitable means, as flanges similar to thek flanges 3 and 6 oi the tirst example, and hav ing their inner edges together and joined in by a flange 8 as in the first example; it being understood that this circular'sign would have substantiallyY the appearance, in cross-section,

oit that et the iirst example as shown in Fig. 11n

'this circular sign, the sides 41 and aarc conveniently made ot disks, apertured in theiry centers and formed to theV required shallow dished' shape to make the triangular cross-section along with' the outer shell 222; the central aperture 7a of this circular Three of the spaced equally member 1EL being circular. hooks 12 are provided,

around the aperture 7, tivo above and one below; and these will be understood as being .suitably strongly connected to the member 1,fas by the conical bases 13 of the previous example. Y

The `casing '14?L is of drum shape, smaller than the aperture 7a, leaving an annular previous example.

onto a respective oneV space interrupted by small extensions 16a at opposite ing and iixed to the edges of the aperture 7a, similarly to the ends 1G of the casing 14 of the lirst example; so that there are open spaces 15a and 15b above and below` this casing, in the aperture 7a. The sides 4n and 5a have their seam around the aperture interrupted at one side, Within one of the extensions 16, receiving a bushing 1S in the entrance 17 thus formed; and the shell 2";has the opening With the bushing 19 alined therewith, admitting the cable 20 to s-upply current to the lamps 22 arranged in a circle around the 'face of the casing 14, the interior connections oi' which will be understood tobe as those ot the casing 14 in the The member 1 has hooks 10Z1 fitting over ll example.

The translucent member 25l also' is circular, comprising the circular plate 26a and annular frame 27, with three eyes 28 to tit on the hooks 12 or the member lf." Y,

Display matter 29 on kthe display sur-` faces of the sides 4 and 5 of ythe member 1, or sides 4a and 5n et the member l, vis illuminated directly by the lighting means con stituted by the lamps 22 and casing 14, or lamps 22 and casing 14, since these surfaces incline out through the 'vertical plane 'of the lamps; and also yby light of .these lamps reflected :trom the inner surface of the translucent member 25 or 25a at the respective side of the sign. Also, to some extent, light is reflect-ed Vfrom the inner surface of a translucent member 25 or 25*il at one side to and through the opposite translucent member; part `of this light being rei'lected from this opposite member to the display surface of the member 1 or 1xl7 at that side. Thus, display matter 30,011 the outer or inner surface of the translucent member 25 or 25a is illuminated by passage of light through or around the matter; and this appears along'vvith the matter 29 on the displaysurtace of the outer member 1 or 1a substantially as if the entire matters 29 and 30 were on one continuous surface. A much betterdistribution of light is effecte'd however, than if there were a single continuous translucent member;l as a few lamps near the center of the signwould not light the outer regions thereofunless bright enough to excessively light the central vregion; and a single continuous opaque surtace, corresponding to 'surface of the member 1 or 1, would 'require the lamps at one or more edges, as is the practice with large signs, failingV to illuminate the central re-` the 1 gion Without e Moreover, the large numberV and powerfulness of the lamps thusrequired is expensive; and my invention permits consides, attached to the drum `or cas-y the supporting rod as previously described for the other vla. Also, removal of the member 25 or 25a v affords full access to the lamps 22, when siderable economy in light, while at the same time affording a. much more uniformly illuminated display.

By having the translucent member 25 or 25a detachable from the other member l or la, each member may have its display matter placed thereon, as by painting or otherwise, while the members are separated; permitting much easieraccess to the display surface at either side of the member i or theseare to be renewed,

In each example, a sign for displaying on both sides has been set forth; such signs being useful to hang extended from buildings, to be seen at approach in either direction along the street, and the mode of mounting the sign, by the rod l1, being especially adapted for this. However, it will be seen that a sign for display at only one side thereof may be employed according to my invention; having the advantages just pointed out, in that light from the lamps 22 at the one side will shine out across the inclined surfaces of the member l or la as well as through the member 25 or 25a, with part of the light reflected from the inner side 0f the latter member to the surface of the forme-r member. Also, such a sign, with the translucent member detachable, will have the advantages just before noted, due to this arrangement. Such a sign, displaying at one side only, may be placed along the wall of a building or the like; and either the single side or double side display may be embodied in very small doorway signs, or very large bulletins, such as occupy roadsides or the tops of large buildings. A rectangular sign and a circular sign have been exemplified; but other shapes may occur, with details arranged accordingly. The translucent members may have any degree of transparency.

Other modilications are probable, and therefore, although various details of my invention have been described somewhat speciically, to make. clear the construction and use thereof, as is required, I do not wish to be understood as being limited to such precise showing and description, but- What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sign comprising spaced apart translucent members having display surfaces, a casing between said members, an additional member having diverging sides with display surfaces diverging from near said casing out beyond edges of the respective translucent members, lighting means supported on said casing opposite the respective display surfaces of the translucent members, said casing being attached to the approached edges of said diverging sides of the additional member, and a connection leading between said diverging sides and out therefrom at said approached edges, into said casing, to said lighting means.

2. A sign comprising spaced apart translucent members having display surfaces, a casing between said translucent members,

an additional member having display sur- I faces diverging from near said casings in various directions out beyond various edges of the respective translucent members, lighting means supported on said casing opposite the respective display surfaces of the translucent members, said casing having opposite ends attached to approached edges of said diverging sides of the additional member, and a connection leading between said diverging sides and out therefrom into one end of said casing, and leading from said end to said lighting means.

3. A sign comprising a structure with an inner aperture and a surface inclined to said aperture and bearing a display, lighting means in said aperture, and a translucent member opposite said aperture in such relation to said lighting means and said inclined surface as to reflect part of the light from said lighting means to said inclined surface, said translucent member bearing a display the effect of which is increased by the other part of said light transmitted by said translucent member.

CHARLES IV. SMITH. 

